Energica EGO 45 Electric Superbike Introduced To The American Press

(This original, copyrighted material may not be copied, cut and pasted, published or otherwise reproduced in any way in any medium, which means, don’t post this on another website or BBS. If you want somebody else to see this, send, share or tweet a link or post a link to this page.)

Italian-based Energica brought its new all-electric EGO 45
luxury Superbike to Southern California to introduce the public and press to
the road-going, fully-faired, 150-mph sportbike that is scheduled to hit the
market next year.

Giampiero Testoni, CTO of the company, said at the Hollywood
launch party for the $68,000 limited edition motorcycle that it was designed to
meet the needs of those who wanted performance. The company has established a
record of success in electric motorcycle road racing, taking the 2010 TTXGP
European Championship with its eCRP 1.2 racebike.

"It's a real Superbike, not just a commuter or
something similar. We wanted to point to the real hard motorcyclist. If you can
convince those riders, you have convinced everyone," Testoni said.

The limited-edition EGO 45, so named because only 45
examples will be made, is slated to come with a full complement of high-end
components. Fully-adjustable 43mm Ohlins cartridge forks mate with a forged
aluminum OZ wheel. Brembo radially mounted monobloc calipers clamp 330mm discs
made by Brembo specifically for Energica, Testoni said.

"We have a lot of speed, higher weight, so we need good
braking," Testoni said.

A 240mm disc is mounted to another forged aluminum OZ wheel
at the rear, and both ends feature anti-lock brakes. An offset Ohlins shock
handles suspension duties at the rear and connects the cast aluminum swingarm
to the chrome-moly steel trellis chassis.

The company claims that its 100 kilowatt electric powerplant
puts out 136 horsepower, with 145 lbs.-ft. of torque available from zero to
5000 rpm. Road-ready weight is a claimed 555 pounds, with a range of 100 miles at
a steady 78 kph (48.4 mph). A regenerative braking system similar to the KERS
systems from Formula 1 cars helps extend the range. A full recharge is expected
to take approximately 3.5 hours from a 220-volt source, with a 110-volt
recharge taking twice as long.

"The center of gravity is higher than that of petrol
bikes," Testoni said. "We did that in order to - it's a little more
difficult when you are moving it around, but once you are riding it, it helps
with the ridability. It helps you turn."

Delivery is expected to begin in the U.S. in April 2015. The
first models delivered will be the EGO 45, with the standard versions to
follow. The EGO 45 will have carbon-fiber bodywork and a fast-charging system
that can deliver an 80 percent charge in 15 minutes, Testoni said. The factory
also notes that it will come with a reverse setting and will be Bluetooth-compatible.
Special body and chassis components created from materials and production
techniques including 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, that the company
employs in creating specialized components for Formula 1 cars.

The standard $34,000 machine will have a lower-spec Ohlins
shock, smaller discs in front, a Marzocchi fork, Marchesini rims and will not
have the fast-charging system, Testoni said.

Both models will be electronically limited to a 150 mph top
speed, with 0-60 times in under three seconds, Testoni said.